Connect to and use a cloud desktop - Elastic Desktop Service

After you assign a cloud desktop to an end user, the end user can use an Alibaba Cloud Workspace client to connect to and use the cloud desktop. This topic describes how to connect to and use a cloud desktop as an end user.

Preparations and limits

Elastic Cloud Desktop (EDS) allows you to connect to a cloud desktop from an Alibaba Cloud Workspace client of one of the following types: Windows client, macOS client, iOS client, Android client, and Web client.

Web client

Logon address: Web client
Supported browsers: Chrome and Firefox

Download a Windows client or macOS client based on the type of your on-premises device and the OS that the device runs.

Note

Download URL: Download Alibaba Cloud Workspace Client
Select the correct version of the Windows client or macOS client to download based on your account type. In EDS, the following account types are available: the convenience account, enterprise AD account, and RAM account.

Download an iOS client or Android client and install it on your mobile device based on the OS that the device runs.

Android: Go to the download page for Alibaba Cloud Workspace clients for Android and download the client based on the OS version that your device runs.
iOS:
- Go to the download page for Alibaba Cloud Workspace clients for iOS and download the client based on the OS version that your device runs.
- Search for Alibaba Cloud Workspace in App Store.
Note Alibaba Cloud Workspace clients support Android 10.0 or later and iOS 9.0 or later.

Obtain the required logon information

Before an end user logs on to the client, the user must prepare the required logon information, including a workspace ID, the specified network access mode, and the username and password.


Required information	Description	References
Workspace ID/Organization ID	The end user can log on to the client by using a workspace ID or an organization ID. The logon information can be found in emails sent to the associated email address.	Create or delete a convenience workspace Custom organization ID
Username and password	If the end user uses an account of a convenience user, the end user can view the username and password in emails sent by the system to the email address that is associated with the convenience user. If the convenience user is of the administrator-activated type, the system automatically sends logon information to the email address of the user administrator that you specified. If you do not specify a user administrator, the administrator must forward the logon information on your own. For an account of an enterprise Active Directory (AD) user, the account is managed by the enterprise AD system to which the AD user belongs. When you create an AD user on an AD domain controller, you must record the username and password. The EDS system cannot provide the required logon information to an end user. The administrator must provide the end user with the required logon information. If the end user forgets the logon password, the administrator can reset the password.	Create a convenience user Create AD users
Network access mode	The network access mode determines whether the client can connect to the cloud desktop over the Internet or a private network of an enterprise. You can specify a network access mode when you create a workspace, and you can find the configuration on the workspace details page. Note If the client connects to the cloud desktop over the Internet, make sure that the on-premises network can access the Internet. If the client connects to the cloud desktop over the private network of an enterprise, make sure that on-premises and off-premises networks are connected through Smart Access Gateway (SAG), Express Connect, or VPN Gateway.	Create or delete a convenience workspace
Logon by using a verification code	You can enable logon by using a verification code based on your business requirements. Then, the end user can log on to the client by using a mobile number and a verification code.	Create a convenience user

Log on to the Alibaba Cloud Workspace client

The following example describes how to log on to a Windows client by using the logon information sent by the system as an end user.

Download and install a Windows client.
Obtain the client logon information, including the organization ID or workspace ID, username, password, and network access mode, from the email that is sent by the system.
Double-click the icon to launch the Alibaba Cloud Workspace client.
Enter the organization ID or workspace ID that you obtained from the email sent by the system, select a network access mode, and then click .
Note
- If you are not an enterprise user, you can click Business Edition to switch to Personal Edition, and scan the QR code by using Alipay to log on to the client.
- If you log on by using an organization ID, you can access all cloud desktops that are assigned to you. If you log on by using a workspace ID, you can access all cloud desktops that are assigned to you in the workspace.
- If your administrator enables logon by using a verification code for an end user, you can click Mobile Phone to log on by using a mobile number and the verification code that is sent to the mobile number.
- To select the network access mode, you can find the network access mode in emails sent by the system to the associated email address.
Enter the username and password.
Note
- If you cannot connect to the server due to network exceptions, you can click Settings and choose Network > Diagnosis to check the network connectivity.
- If you select Auto Sign In, the client remains in the logged-on state for three days.
- If issues occur when you log on to the client and connect to a cloud desktop, you can click Help to view documentation.
Optional: If your administrator has configured secure logon, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), you must enter a verification code that is generated from a virtual MFA device.
- First logon: The first time you connect to the cloud desktop, you must follow the on-screen instructions to bind a virtual MFA device. For more information, see Bind a virtual MFA device to an end user.
- Non-first logon: In other cases, you must enter the verification code that is generated from the virtual MFA device.
Note If your administrator has configured MFA for a cloud desktop that is assigned to you, you must enter the correct verification code that is generated from the bound virtual MFA device before you can connect to the cloud desktop. If your administrator has not configured secure logon, skip this step.
Click .

Connect to a cloud desktop

After you log on to the client as the end user, the available cloud desktops are displayed as cards on the page that appears. You can click the card of the desired cloud desktop to initiate a connection. If the connection is successful, the cloud desktop appears in a new window, and you can use it as expected.

Important

You cannot connect to a cloud desktop that is in the Stopped state until it is started.
If issues occur during desktop connection, see FAQ about connecting to cloud desktops for troubleshooting.

A cloud desktop is available for use after connection. For more information, see Use a cloud desktop.